Proposed development of Longhorn, Dunkin Donuts coming to Rockmart

Annexation plans are in the works as developers are seeking permission to bring parcels into the city limits at the corner of Highway 113 and Highway 278 to build a Longhorn Steakhouse and a Dunkin Donuts.

The Rockmart City Council voted to approve a resolution allowing for a request to hold public hearings for annexation of property at the intersection that comes off of Forsyth Drive and up to the opposite corner of the Floyd Primary Care location at the corner with the two highways and Goodyear Street.

If approved, developers told the City Council they plan to bring a Dunkin Donuts and a Longhorn Steakhouse to the corner lots.

City Manager Stacey Smith said tonight she was excited by the latest development news.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to bring businesses with a national reach to Rockmart and Polk County as a whole,” Smith said. “As we continue to grow in the future, we expect more interest to grow for additional developments that bring in national chains like Longhorn and Dunkin Donuts.”

Rockmart’s Nathan Dean Parkway corridor already is loaded with national brands – most of them centered around fast food – but also have attracted storefronts for AT&T, Mavis Tire & Brakes, Walgreens and more.

Local residents will get the chance to voice their opinion on whether to allow the developments to move forward with the first step of annexation into the city proper. Houses currently on the property have to be removed for the restaurant and coffee and doughnut shop.

The next Rockmart City Council meeting for the upcoming public hearing will be on Tuesday, February 13.

Check back for additional coverage of the Rockmart City Council’s February meeting for more on the public hearing.